Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Edinburgh trio launches international bar show

Published: 08 February, 2024

Edinburgh is getting its very own trade-focused bar show, with the event due to land in the Scottish capital for the first time in April.

Give and take at annual Vintners-hosted Drinks Trust event

Published: 15 January, 2024

The drinks trade burst back into life this week as over 150 illustrious guests gathered at Vintners’ Hall for a wine trade lunch on behalf of The Drinks Trust.

Nick Gillett: Education, education, education – hospitality’s secret weapon

Published: 15 January, 2024

When it comes to the spirits and hospitality industries, I harp on about education a lot. But with good reason. That dinner you had out the other week with the outstanding service – it’s thanks to education. Receiving a top new tipple recommendation from your local bartender – education. Formal training, cocktail masterclasses, category insight – it’s all helping to create better teams, better serves and ultimately an altogether better experience for the customer. So as someone who works for or is interested in the industry, here’s why you should care about it.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Will 2024 mark the end of the UK wine trade as we know it?

Published: 26 October, 2023

I realise that is a pretty dramatic title. But none of us should underestimate the game changing potential of the changes the UK government intends to introduce around wine beginning in early 2024.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Growth is central to business strategy. Is it time to change?

Published: 27 September, 2023

Many years ago I was asked to act as a strategic consultant to a Chilean wine business. They wanted help with reformulating their strategy, first to achieve break even, then to reach sustainable profitability. The business was 100% targeted at export markets, with the UK a key priority.

Jerry Lockspieser: Money can’t buy you love – or can it?

Published: 24 August, 2023

How should we respond when values we hold dear conflict with opportunities for business advantage or personal gain? How best to navigate conflicting aspirations?

Pacific trade pact overshadowed by domestic pressures, says WSTA

Published: 31 March, 2023

Confirmation that the UK has signed up to the Asia-Pacific trade pact will open new markets down the line for some in the drinks trade, but will offer little sustenance in the short term.

Guy Woodward: On growing into wine

Published: 09 March, 2023

Our trade is not prone to hysteria, but there has been a pronounced bout of bedwetting recently. The cause? Studies showing how the younger generation is turning away from wine, with commentators quick to respond via apocryphal prophecies of doom if the industry doesn’t better engage with millennials.

Majestic seeks new Diversity in Wine scholarship applicants

Published: 06 March, 2023

Leading retailer Majestic is inviting 12 new candidates to join its industry-leading Diversity in Wine scholarship programme.

Bibendum takes the ‘art of (selling) wine’ in a new direction

Published: 27 January, 2023

Bibendum has just closed the cap on its first tasting concept of 2023, with a roster of likeminded events lined up for the year ahead as the company diversifies its annual tasting format.

Jascots marks growth of premium range

Published: 25 January, 2023

Jascots Wine Merchants has recorded strong results for 2022, laying growth at the door of new business and an ongoing focus on range premiumisation.

New Golden Vines scholarship aims for wider BAME representation

Published: 09 January, 2023

The Gérard Basset Foundation, in collaboration with Wine Owners, Lay & Wheeler and IG Wines, has unveiled a new Golden Vines Scholarship for members of the BAME/BIPOC community who wish to break into the wine trade.

Jump into the world of French wine at VIN

Published: 06 January, 2023

The UK trade is being invited to uncork some of France’s best kept secrets alongside enduring favourites at VIN, next month’s trade tasting event, which will bring together 50 producers and importers.

Friday read: What will 2023 mean for the wine trade?

Published: 06 January, 2023

Stuart Bond, director at UK wine distributor, Beyond Wines, dives into the top trends for 2023

VinoVirtual launches for UK trade

Published: 04 January, 2023

French wine & spirits trading platform VinoVirtual is bringing its innovative marketplace specifically to UK buyers in 2023 for the first time, with a number of inaugural sessions taking place across January and February.

Tying up 2022: Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas from Harpers

Published: 21 December, 2022

It’s that time of year for Harpers to wish all in the drinks trade a very merry Christmas as we speed towards the final days of another eventful year.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Miles Beale, WSTA

Published: 09 December, 2022

Following another turbulent year for the drinks trade, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), reflects on the highs and lows of 2022, plus the hopes and plans for the business in the year ahead.

Soapbox: Battling the behemoths

Published: 17 November, 2022

Nick Gillett, MD of Mangrove UK, on the uphill battle smaller brands face with ever more powerful players dominating the industry.

Pernod predicts return to form for Christmas spirit(s)

Published: 30 September, 2022

Pernod Ricard is banking on the return of a pre-pandemic Christmas atmosphere this year, with its festive campaigns revealing a heavy focus on leveraging treating behaviours amid a tense economy, bouyed by the world cup.

Champagne outperforms gold during Covid

Published: 29 September, 2022

Globally, we may have not been swinging from the chandeliers much over the past two years. When it comes to the secondary market however, Champagne has undergone a period of intense transformation to become one of the most attractive propositions for fine wine investors.